New To Washington freshwater

[felts_jf]

Hi all,

I am in the Air Force and got stationed in WA and really miss the fishing back home in Kentucky. I'm into Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and stuff like that really have never done any trout or salmon fishing. Just wondering if there is anyone that could give me some pointers about some decent lakes and streams. I know about American Lake in Pierce County and thats about it. It would be greatly appreciated.

[Joe Heater]

You are from Kentucky? Well let me just start off by saying you are going to be extremely dissapointed when you catch a bluegill/crappie from here. They don't get as large as frying pans. Ha.

I am in the Navy and I am from Iowa. I had a buddy that wanted me to go to Kentucky with him fishing for Crappie and Bluegills and I thought to myself why would I go to Kentucky to catch Crappie/Gills when I can catch them right there in Iowa. Then he brought back the pics. MONSTERS!!!!!!!!!! I will go if I ever get the chance again.

I am not sure about down South (Seattle area) but I would imagine Lake Washington has both in it. I have never fished it but am going to hit it up for some Perch this fall.

I live up in Snohomish county. Lake Cassidy is about as sure of a bet as you can get when it comes to Crappie. However, they have had a 9 inch slot limit on them and thanks to that rule the lake is so over populated with Crappies you would be lucky to catch one that is 7 inches. Millions of them in there though.

I had a lake this spring where I was catching good sized crappies 11-12 inches (don't laugh), only kept the males. After the spawn which went into June I might add, I have only managed to catch a few. If you want to come up sometime give me a hollar. I can usually get one or two to bite but the lake is mostly filled with Slime Rockets (Trout). I have been doing good for Perch there but I can't ever seem to find the time to get up there.

I have been spending a lot of time on the East side of the state hunting for Walleyes and that has been a blast. Good luck.

Good fishing.
Joe

[gpc]

Welcome to Wa felts.

Ok I will help you the best that I can, but first you have to give me a liitle of info.

What area?

Boat? Shore?

What kind of fish? I know you said it dosnt matter, but I know theres a species you want more than another.

Let me know, well get it all squared away for ya

[felts_jf]

Yeah we used to catch crappie up to 2.5 lbs sometime on Kentucky lake. Right now I am over in Iraq and cant wait to come home in September. Dont really know what will be in season then but I do know you can catch Bass and Crappie pretty much year around if the lakes allow it up here.

I am from Tacoma and I was looking on this site at all the smaller lakes around and it looks like some pretty good bass and bluegill fishing for the warmer months. I am looking into buying me a 12 or 14 foot jon boat when I get home that way I can hit some of the lakes around the area. From what I heard trout and salmon have seasons and I havent really ever fished for those two species so I wouldnt really know where to start. Back home it was Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Catfish, with a random Stripe Bass when you could catch them in the jumps.

Hopefully I pick up quick if most of the fishing is trout and salmon, by the way never touched a flyrod in my life so hopefully I dont have to figure that chore out. LOL

Thanks for the info hopefully I'll be getting more from you guys.

Jason

[EastsideRedneck]

I feel your pain... I grew up fishing in the South as well. Save yourself the pain and embarassment of buying a bunch of the unnatural colored lures that work in the clouded and muddy waters that you may be used to. I blew $30 last month buying crap that the fish were probably laughing at (imagine fish instead of the raccoons in The Great Outdoors.) The extremely clear water up dictates a more natural presentation, so I've been told.

Where in Ky are you from? I used to go fishing at Realfoot Lake when I'd visit my great/grandparents in Fulton. Best of luck to you and stay safe over there.

[Rosann G]

Let us know when you get back to Tacoma and my husband and I will take you out fishing. We mostly fish Lake Tapps for smallies and Tiger Muskies but we can go to other lakes too if you want. Bill is originally from Texas and we met when he was stationed here at McChord in 1975.
Stay safe while you're gone. Looking forward to seeing you when you get home.
Rosann

[felts_jf]

Do people fish for crappie up there just during the summer or is it a winter fish as well like back home? We catch most of our crappie in the colder months of the year.

I am from Bowling Green KY, I have been to Realfoot lake though.

I will be back in Tacoma around the middle of September. Since I have been making good money the past 5 months I am going to be on the lookout for a jon boat of some kind hopefully with a trailer for the smaller lakes around the counties. It would be great if we could get together and show me around the fishing holes.

Thanks For all the support
Jason

[Kevin K]

Hi all,

I am in the Air Force and got stationed in WA and really miss the fishing back home in Kentucky. I'm into Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and stuff like that really have never done any trout or salmon fishing. Just wondering if there is anyone that could give me some pointers about some decent lakes and streams. I know about American Lake in Pierce County and thats about it. It would be greatly appreciated.

I did not notice anyone else mentioning this, but I have read that Fort Lewis has multiple lakes on the grounds. The Fort Lewis website has information regarding same. It also includes a description of the lakes and species, if I remember correctly.

[bpm2000]

ive heard of big bass coming outta those ft lewis lakes myself!

[felts_jf]

I've heard of several diffrent lakes being on Ft. Lewis myself but never seen any. I guess when I get back to the States in September I'll have to go check' em out.

Jason